Peer pressure on students is greater today
than it has ever been. Teenagers will tell you that peer pressure is felt in
every area of life. This study will help students identify that we make the
choice to let others influence and pressure us. This study will also help
students identify good pressure from negative pressure and provide tools to
help them stand strong in the face of pressure. This study will help them to
realize that they are the ones who should be influencing the crowd because of
whose they are in Christ.
Going Along with the
Crowd | Galatians 2:11-14 (9/16/15)
What’s the harm in
a little peer pressure? Peer pressure can definitely lead you down the wrong
road. Usually, letting others influence often comes down to a form of fear.
Fear of being embarrassed, laughed at, rejected etc… Many teens say they feel pressured
to look and act a certain way. We give in and allow others to influence our
behaviors in because we don’t want to be rejected. Acceptance is the one thing
students want. That is why we take a look at Peter in this lesson. He changed
his behavior in order not to offend the legalistic Judaizers. By doing this, he
compromised the message of grace Jesus called him to share. The truth is we are
going to be rejected by someone or something at some point in our lives. When
we give in to peer pressure, it leads others to do the same. We will help
students see that as Christians they are called to influence the world, not
reflect it.
Evaluating the
Crowd | Proverbs 1:8-16; 13:20; Galatians 5:7-8 (9/23/15)
How can I recognize
good peer pressure? Good peer pressure helps you become a better person.The friends you choose to hang around with are going to help you. It will either be in a negative way or a positive way. Many teens feel pressure to drink or use drugs. We must learn to identify the right kind of friends to choose so as to be influenced in a positive way. A positive friend will help you to think pure and right thoughts, will help you to do what’s right in any situation, and will help you to grow in your walk with Christ and encourage you spiritually. The wrong type of friends can get us into trouble.
Resisting the Crowd
| Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 11:24-26 (9/30/15)
How do I resist the
pull of negative peer pressure? Stay focused on Christ. Many teens often feel
lonely or left out. This makes it much easier to give in to negative peer pressure.
Learning to resist negative peer pressure begins with a focus on Christ.
Resisting peer pressure requires us to think of the long-term effects of our
decisions today. Every decision we make today will have an effect on us in the future.
Resisting peer pressure requires that I renew my mind on a daily basis. We must
align my thoughts and motives with those of Christ.
Influencing the
Crowd | 1 Timothy 4:12 (10/7/15)
Although
many teens identify a friend as a role model, most teens say they see their
parents as a positive role model and influence. Influencing the crowd begins
with me making good choices in my life. We must recognize and understand that
our words have the power to influence others. We may not think how we act
influences others, but someone is always watching. Influencing others in a
positive way really comes down to how we are walking with Christ on a daily basis.
If we want others to follow in our footsteps, we must realize that everything
we do has the potential to lead somebody to a close walk with Christ.Parenting Teens is a monthly magazine designed to provide relevant information, practical ideas, and biblical encouragement to parents of teenagers. Go to www.lifeway.com/parentingteens.